# NTSB BFO93FA033: Beech E18S, N47E, Lemont, PA, February 24, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1993, 20:16 local (Feb 24, 1993, 01:16 UTC)
- Place: Lemont, PA
- Coordinates: 40.790256, -77.849403 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7903&lon=-77.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11868
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11868/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93FA033

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE APPROACH. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE DARKNESS, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND HIGH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT WAS EN ROUTE TO PICK UP CARGO. HE RECEIVED THREE PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFINGS EARLIER THAT INDICATED SNOW, MOUNTAIN OBSCURATION, AND LOW VISIBILITY.  HE REPORTED, 'SEEING THE LIGHTS OF UNIVERSITY,' AND REQUESTED A CONTACT APPROACH.  HE ALSO SAID THAT IF HE COULD NOT GET IN, HE WOULD MAKE AN ILS APPROACH.  WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS 4 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT, THE NEW YORK AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER CLEARED THE PILOT FOR A CONTACT APPROACH TO RUNWAY 24.  A WITNESS REPORTED HEARING A LOW FLYING AIRPLANE.  HE STATED THAT IT WAS SNOWING HEAVILY AND HE SAW THE TAIL LIGHT OF AN AIRPLANE BRIEFLY THROUGH THE SNOW.  HE ALSO REPORTED THAT A SNOW SQUALL WAS IN THE AREA AT THE TIME. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, HE HEARD WHAT WAS LATER DETERMINED TO BE THE SOUND OF THE COLLISION.  SEARCH PERSONNEL LOCATED THE WRECKAGE 3.3 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT ON TOP OF MOUNT NITTANY WHICH WAS ABOUT 2000 FEET HIGH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47E-1993-04-23), registration cancelled 1993-04-23, S/N BA183 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E18S
- Registry model: [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s) (registry code 1151006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-183
- Airframe hours: 12910
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Centre Airlines
- Registered owner: Centre Airlines, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 22, 1993, 85 hours before
- Departed: RVL, REEDSVILLE, PA
- Destination: UNV, UNIVERSITY PARK, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: University Park

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,200 total, 4,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: UNV, 3 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930224003149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930224003149A), Feb 24, 1993: Beech E18S, State College, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck obscured mountain trying to make contact approach at night in area of heavy snow squalls.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.